In his race to occupy Nigeria:s seat of power, presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has picked Ibrahim Adamu Bala as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
The National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal shows that Bala, 51, hails from Bauchi State, giving the APM a North-South ticket as it seeks to broaden its electoral appeal across the country.
It was gathered that Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, played a significant role in Adamu Bala’s emergence, nominating him during consultations aimed at strengthening the party’s chances, particularly in the North-East.
Bala’s appearance on the INEC portal confirms his nomination as the APM vice-presidential candidate, although neither the party nor Makinde has issued an official statement on the choice.
Makinde, serving his second and final term as governor of Oyo State, declared his presidential ambition on May 14 during a joint rally of his PDP faction and the APM at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
The declaration followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the PDP faction and the APM at the PDP South-West Zonal Secretariat in Ibadan.
At the rally, the governor announced that the alliance would field candidates for all elective positions, from the presidency to the state Houses of Assembly, while urging opposition parties to remain united ahead of the 2027 elections.
On May 30, Makinde formally accepted the APM presidential ticket in Ibadan, where he pledged to “reset” Nigeria through reforms targeted at tackling insecurity, unemployment, hunger and the rising cost of living.
Receiving the party’s Certificate of Return and flag from the APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, the governor also promised to decentralise the country’s security architecture and grant states greater authority to respond to security challenges if elected president.
(Ripples)